P Shyam Nikhil becomes the 85th Grandmaster of India

by Shahid Ahmed - 13/05/2024

IM P Shyam Nikhil became the 85th Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title on Sunday 12th May 2024 at Dubai Police Masters 2024. He drew with GM Jinshi Bai (CHN) in the final round to secure his final GM-norm. Shyam earned his first GM-norm way back in September 2011 at 4th Mumbai Mayor's Cup. In the following month, he scored his second GM-norm at 46th National Premier 2011. Five months later in May 2012 he got a published rating 2502. A few of his norms were missed and got cancelled due to technicality. He had to score his final GM-norm outside of India. 12 years later in Dubai, the same place where he crossed 2500 in 2012, is where he became a Grandmaster. Shyam's journey is undoubtedly inspirational, a concoction of grit, passion and perseverance. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

12-year-long wait is finally over

P Shyam Nikhil started learning chess at the age of eight years. He had a chess board at home. His parents taught him a bit about chess. He started playing chess tournaments at the age of eleven as there were not a lot of opportunities or tournaments in his hometown. After Under-11 only, he started playing outside of his hometown. He won his first State Championship in Under-13 category, qualified to the Nationals where he finished second. That State title is a memorable one for Shyam. In 2017, Shyam joined Integral Coach Factory of Indian Railways. They are very supportive of him in his chess career with leaves and everything.

P Shyam Nikhil becomes the 85th Grandmaster of India | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

P Shyam Nikhil becomes the 85th GM of India, ending his 12-year-long wait | Video: ChessBase India

"I am really happy for this title because my parents were expecting it for a long long time. So for them I really feel, very very happy and it's successfully done. For me, I wanted to play good games, like Mikhail Tal, Garry Kasparov's games. I wanted to play just in a way to have that enjoyment in the game. That is my main motive. Now that the title is done, I can play more freely." - India's latest GM P Shyam Nikhil on what the Grandmaster title means to him. "Still a long way to go. I will keep improving and I'll play more good games in the future. Thank you so much." - Shyam's parting words.

First GM-norm: 4th Mumbai Mayor's Cup Open 2011

Shyam earned his first GM-norm at 4th Mumbai Mayor's Cup Open in September 2011 in Mumbai. He made a blazing start scoring 5/5 including wins over GM Sethuraman S P and then IM Priyadharshan K. In the ninth round he scored a must-win game against GM Bartolomiej Heberla (POL). He also drew with GM Niaz Murshed (BAN), GM Deviatkin Andrei (RUS) and GM Abhijit Kunte.

Heberla - Shyam, Round 9

Position after 21.Qc5?

21.Qc5? allowed Black to gain the upperhand Qe6 22.Rb3 Rad8 23.Qc7 Rxd4 24.Nb1 Bg4 25.f3 Rd7 26.Qc2 exf3 things fell apart in a hurry for White and Black won the game in another ten moves.

IM P Shyam Nikhil en route his win over GM Bartlomiej Heberla (POL) and his maiden GM-norm | Photo: Kadmoorthy

Shyam scored 7.5/11 and increased his Elo rating points by 17.1 points

Second GM-norm: 46th National Premier 2011

Shyam scored his second GM-norm in the following month at 46th National Premier in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. He did not have the best start as he scored only 1.5/3. Shyam won against GM Deep Sengupta and GM Neelotpal Das, drew with then IM Vidit Gujrathi, GM Parimarjan Negi and GM Sethuraman S P.

Shyam - Deep, Round 9

Position after 37...Rh1+

37...Rh1+? 38.Ke2 Ra1 39.Rc4 now both black rooks are disconnected. The b8-knight is not doing much either. 39...Re7 40.Nd4 Ra3 41.Rd8 and it's over.

P Shyam Nikhil defeated GM Deep Sengupta in a must-win ninth round game to earn his second GM-norm | Photo: Sergio/Chessdom

Shyam scored 8/13 and gained 26.4 Elo rating points en route his second GM-norm

Third GM-norm: Dubai Police Masters 2024

Six months later, he crossed 2500. He got a published rating of 2502 in May 2012 FIDE Rating list. Shyam earned his final GM-norm at Dubai Police Masters 2024. He scored an unbeaten 5/9 to secure his norm. His sole victory of the event was against GM Mustafa Yilmaz (TUR). He drew with GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM), GM Vahap Sanal (TUR), GM Emre Can (TUR), GM Iniyan Pa, GM Pranav Anand and GM Jinshi Bai (CHN).

Mustafa - Shyam, Round 2

Position after 38.c5?

Shyam persevered a tough position. When the opportunity arose, he generated counterplay 34...f5. After a few moves, White faltered 38.c5? Qxc5-+ 39.Qxc5 bxc5 and Black got a decisive advantage. He had no trouble converting it into a win.